The State of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ADA Services.
Nonprofits and Individuals Briefing To overview the provisions of the bill which benefit individuals and the organizations which support them.
Direct Benefits to Individuals ofood Assistance Benefits (Food Stamps) ounemployment Compensation ohealth Insurance (COBRA)
Direct Benefits to Individuals ojob Training and Placement (One Stops & OhioMeansJobs.Com) ohelp for Seniors otrade Adjustment Assistance
Direct Benefits to Individuals o Social Security and Supplemental Security Income o Home Weatherization o Federal Tax Benefits o Foreclosure Prevention Assistance
Nonprofit Opportunities o Byrne Competitive Grants - (Competitive) o Victim Assistance Grants - (Competitive) o DTV Converter Box Program - (Competitive) o Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals (Competitive)
Nonprofit Opportunities o HOME Investment Partnerships - (Competitive) o Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing - (Formula) o National Youth Mentoring Programs - (Competitive)
Nonprofit Opportunities o Homeless Assistance Grant Program - (Competitive) o Neighborhood Stabilization Fund - (Competitive) o National Endowment for the Arts - (Competitive)
Nonprofit Opportunities o Economic Development Assistance - (Competitive) o Energy Efficiency Grants - (Competitive) o Workforce Investment Grants - (Competitive) o Capacity Building Grants - (Competitive)
Direct Benefits to Individuals Food Assistance Benefits (Food Stamps) The bill provides a 13.6% increase in monthly benefits. This automatic increase began on April 1, 2009. To enroll, visit your local county Job and Family Services or contact the Ohio Benefit Bank at 1-800-648-1176.
Direct Benefits to Individuals Unemployment Compensation Eligible recipients of unemployment compensation benefits can receive up to 59 weeks of unemployment benefits. This includes an additional 33 weeks of federally-funded emergency unemployment benefits (known as EUC benefits). The federal stimulus package extends the deadline on EUC benefits, so they are available through December 2009. In addition, the bill increases the weekly benefit by $25.
Direct Benefits to Individuals Unemployment Compensation Eligible individuals will automatically receive payments retroactive to the week of February 21-28, 2009. The bill also suspends the first $2,400 paid in unemployment benefits from federal income tax for tax year 2009 only. Apply online at http://unemployment.ohio.gov or toll-free by phone at 877-OHIO-JOB.
Direct Benefits to Individuals Health Insurance (COBRA) The bill subsidizes 65% of eligible individuals COBRA health insurance & other state group continuation coverage for workers who lose their jobs. To qualify, a worker must have been involuntarily separated between 9-1-2008 & 12-31-2009.
Direct Benefits to Individuals Health Insurance (COBRA) Workers who lost their jobs between 9-1-2008 and 2-17-2009 but failed to initially elect COBRA because it was unaffordable, will have an additional 60 days to receive the subsidy.
Direct Benefits to Individuals Job Training and Placement (One Stops & OhioMeansJobs.Com) Ohio will be receiving approximately $138 million to provide: Training Job search assistance Youth employment programs Reemployment programs
Direct Benefits to Individuals Job Training and Placement Check out Ohio Means Jobs, www.ohiomeansjobs.com, which connects Ohio's employers and job seekers through tens of thousands of job openings. If you are looking for a job, you can find out more about available services by visiting your local One-Stop Center: http://jfs.ohio.gov/workforce/jobseekers/onestopmap.stm
Direct Benefits to Individuals Help for Seniors Low-income seniors can apply for food assistance at the Ohio Department of Aging at www.aging.ohio.gov or through Area Agencies on Aging at 1-866-243-5678. If you are over 55 years of age and have poor employment prospects, you may qualify for a community service job for up to 20 hours/week. Contact www.jfs.ohio.gov/workforce.
Direct Benefits to Individuals Trade Adjustment Assistance TAA is a state-administered federal program that provides special benefits to workers who have lost their jobs due to outsourcing or increased imports. Benefits include: Trade Readjustment Assistance (a form of special cash assistance), funds for training, a wage subsidy for workers aged 50+, a health care tax credit, and relocation. allowances, and more. Please contact the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services at Trade@jfs.ohio.gov.
Direct Benefits to Individuals Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Recipients will receive a one-time payment of $250. If you are currently a recipient, you do not need to do anything to receive this payment. It is expected to be available in late May. This federal program is administered by the Social Security Administration, and not the State of Ohio. For more information or to see if you are eligible for benefits, visit: http://www.ssa.gov/payment/
Direct Benefits to Individuals Home Weatherization The Recovery Act includes help for low income Ohioans to reduce their energy costs by weatherizing their homes. Residents who qualify may receive energy use and health and safety testing, insulation, furnace repairs and other types of assistance. To learn more, visit: http://development.ohio.gov/cdd/ocs/hwap.htm
Direct Benefits to Individuals Federal Tax Benefits A number of new federal tax benefits are available, including an immediate reduction in payroll taxes for most workers, increases in the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits, as well as benefits for retirees, parents, people saving for college, first-time homebuyers, car buyers, and more. For more information on federal tax changes, visit: www.irs.gov
Direct Benefits to Individuals Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Save the Dream is Ohio s multi-agency foreclosure prevention effort Connects homeowners with free information and resources, such as counseling, legal assistance, and mediation Homeowners can call the hotline (888) 404-4674 or visit SaveTheDream.Ohio.gov
Nonprofit Opportunities Byrne Competitive Grants - (Competitive) To prevent crime, improve the administration of justice, provide services to victims of crime, support nurturing and mentoring of at-risk children & youth, etc. $225,000,000.00 nationally Application deadline is April 27, 8:00PM. Request for proposals can be downloaded at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bja.
Nonprofit Opportunities Victim Assistance Grants - (Competitive) Provides funding for programs that serve victims of crime and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse homicide and other crimes. $1,260,000.00 for Ohio The state will release a request for proposals in May or June via the Attorney General s Web site (www.ag.state.oh.us/) and e-mail list serve.
Nonprofit Opportunities DTV Converter Box Program - (Competitive) To educate vulnerable populations about the transition and to provide one-on-one assistance to vulnerable populations, including help with converter box installation. To view the request for proposals, please visit: www.fcc.gov/omd/contracts/pre-award/dtv-support.html
Nonprofit Opportunities Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals - (Competitive) To support business opportunities, including micro-enterprise and self-employment opportunities, in an effort to help Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low-income individuals. Visit: www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/hhs-2009-acf-ocs-eo- 0011.html
Nonprofit Opportunities HOME Investment Partnerships - (Competitive) Funds awarded to units of local government, non-profit, and for-profit agencies to assist with local housing needs, primarily for tax credit financing. $83,484,547.00 for Ohio HUD should announce guidance in May. Interested organizations should contact the Office of Housing and Community Partnerships at the Ohio Department of Development, 614-466-2285.
Nonprofit Opportunities Homeless Prevention & Re-Housing - (Formula) Funds awarded to nonprofit organizations in order to prevent homelessness or meet the emergency needs of homeless individuals and families. This includes prevention, outreach and assessment, and emergency shelter. $26,205,724.00 for Ohio Interested organizations should contact their local Continuum of Care (COC). For more information, visit www.odod.state.oh.us (link: Communities ).
Nonprofit Opportunities Homeless Assistance Grant - (Competitive) Funds awarded to nonprofit organizations in order to meet the emergency needs of homeless individuals and families. This includes outreach and assessment, emergency shelter, transitional housing, direct housing, and permanent supportive housing. Approx. $20,000,000.00 for Ohio The Ohio Department of Development will release a request for proposals in late May. For more information, visit www.odod.state.oh.us (link: Communities ).
Nonprofit Opportunities Neighborhood Stabilization Fund - (Competitive) Funds awarded to units of local government or nonprofit organizations to address the state's foreclosure crisis and stabilize neighborhoods. The program is designed to help with the purchase, rehab, and resale of foreclosed upon or vacant homes. Approx. $2,000,000,000.00 nationally HUD should announce guidance in May. Interested organizations should contact the Office of Housing and Community Partnerships at the Ohio Department of Development, 614-466-2285.
Nonprofit Opportunities National Youth Mentoring Grant - (Competitive) To support local organizations that develop, implement, or expand local mentoring programs leading to measurable, positive outcomes for at-risk youth. Application deadline is April 27, 8:00PM. Request for proposals can be downloaded at www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ (link: funding opportunities ).
Nonprofit Opportunities National Endowment for the Arts - (Competitive) Grants to fund arts projects and activities that preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support. $20,000,000.00 nationally Interested organizations should contact the Ohio Arts Council (www.oac.state.oh.us/). Application guidelines will be posted on April 17; deadline is June 15.
Nonprofit Opportunities Economic Development Assistance - (Competitive) Grants and technical assistance to non-profit firms and political subdivisions for public infrastructure, facilities, training, business development, BRAC, energy efficiency, and ED strategic planning to distressed communities and FEMA declared disaster counties. $150,000,000.00 nationally Interested organizations should apply directly with the Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov). This is a rolling application so there is no deadline.
Nonprofit Opportunities Energy Efficiency Grants - (Competitive) Grants to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, including: (A) the expansion of existing energy efficiency programs, including energy efficiency retrofits of buildings and industrial facilities; and (B) the expansion of existing programs to support renewable energy projects and deployment activities, including grants, loans, performance incentives, and other forms of financial assistance. $96,083,000.00 for Ohio Interested organizations should provide information about their projects at http://recovery.ohio.gov (Program ID: 1101.02).
Nonprofit Opportunities Workforce Investment Grants - (Competitive) Organizations interested in providing workforce or employment-related programs can submit a proposal to: http://recovery.ohio.gov or contact your local Workforce Investment Area: http://jfs.ohio.gov/workforce/localboard/index.stm
Nonprofit Opportunities Capacity Building Grants - (Competitive) Grants to build the capacity of faith-based and community organizations. This will include both training as well as minigrants. $50,000,000.00 nationally The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will release a request for proposals in April. Visit www.grants.gov for more information.
For More Information
The Ohio Benefit Bank
The Ohio Benefit Bank Breaks down barriers to accessing work supports by providing simplified, one-stop locations for clients to work with trained counselors to complete tax return and other work support forms. A internet-based, counselor-assisted, community-based program.
Over 870 Ohio Benefit Bank sites Sponsored by a wide variety of organizations, such as: Faith-based organizations Community & social service organizations Places of worship, Food pantries, Soup kitchens, Homeless shelters, Government agencies, Private businesses. Sites are positioned to connect where people live, work, play and pray.
All sites have trained counselors Working with a client Needs: a computer w/web access & printer Counselor poses questions prompted by a web-based program 4 th grade reading level Multi-Lingual (English and Spanish)
Answers entered by counselor into web-based program Counselors are trained in 1-2 day-long sessions Training materials are written at 9 th grade reading and math levels Counselors are trained in using the program, Asking questions and empathic listening
Contact Us Greg Landsman, Governor s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives 614-466-3398 http://gofbci.ohio.gov Shannon Teague, Ohio Benefit Bank 614-466-3398 www.obb.ohio.gov